Wednesday, May 23, 2007

FOLSOM - More than $6,800 raised by Folsom State Prison inmates was presented today to local victims’ services provider PEACE for Families by officials from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) The money was raised by inmates who participate in the Youth Diversion Program through a fried chicken and sodas sale at the prison on April 10 in conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights week.

"This fundraiser was a way for inmates to give back and contribute to a worthy cause that helps victims, and is part of a broader effort by CDCR to be a good neighbor to the local community," said CDCR Assistant Secretary of the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) Sandi Menefee. "The fundraiser allowed inmates to voluntarily donate to programs that help victims, and is a way for them to help take some responsibility for the pain that their actions may have caused."

OVSRS Chief Jean Scott, Folsom State Prison Warden Matthew C. Kramer, and staff and inmate team members of the Folsom State Prison Youth Diversion Program were on hand to present the check for $6,840.50 to PEACE for Families at the Folsom State Prison visiting room.

The fundraiser was organized in conjunction with National Crime Victims' Rights Week which was April 23 - 27. Approximately one-quarter of the Folsom State Prison inmate population participated in the fundraising effort ordering more than 13,500 pieces of chicken and over 3,300 sodas.

PEACE for Families is a private, non-profit, community-based organization providing comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Placer County. For more information on the organization, visit: http://www.peaceforfamilies.org/

The Youth Diversion Program at Folsom State Prison uses staff and inmates to expose at-risk-youth from the community to the realities of prison life. The program goal is to aid in reducing the number of young people involved in criminal behavior by increasing youth and community awareness and promoting positive alternatives. Young people participating in the program assume the role of an inmate and, as such, are escorted through various areas of the institution. The youth actually experience prison life. The youth interact with carefully screened inmate team members to openly and directly discuss the negative effects of criminal behavior. School districts, probation departments, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and other concerned groups participate in the program. To date, over 2,500 youth have benefited from this program.